History of the Diocese
The
Present Ecclesiastical territory of Balasore,
Comprising th e 4 civil Districts : Bhadrak,
Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar of Orissa
State, was under the Archdiocese of Calcutta
until 1968.Though the origin of Christianity in
this part of North East Orissa can be traced
back to 1514 with a Portuguese settlement in
Pippilli, Balasore got a resident Priest in the
person of Fr. Sapport S.J. only in 1865. He had
built a beautiful church (Lal Girja) in Balasore
and had started a Foundling Home, which later
was looked after by the Daughters of the Cross
(DC). Fr Sapport S.J. was said to be the Pioneer
Missionary of Balasore. In 1915, the Daughters
of St. Joseph of Chembery had arrived and opened
a Convent and a School in Balasore which was
functioning until 1938.
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